Machine gun control



V. F. ZAHODIAKIN MACHINE GUN CONTROL Aug. 2, 1949.

4 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1945 9- v. F. ZAHODIAKIN 2,477,846

' MACHINE GUN 'CONTROL Filed June 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Aug. 2, 19 9- v. F. ZAHODIAKIN MACHINE GUN CONTROL Filed June 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 2, 1949. v. F. ZAHODIAKIN MACHINE GUN CONTRQL 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 25, 1945 Mia) 1 V EW hJ W-W II Patented Aug. 2, 1949 MACHINE GUN CONTROL Victor F. Zahodiakin, Short Hills, N. J.

Application June 25, 1945, Serial No. 601,504

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to the control and synchronization of machine guns. The invention is disclosed as a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 588,273, entitled Gun synchronization, filed April 14, 1945, and is directed particularly to electrical apparatus for firing the machine gims, and to a selective control system by which the guns may be fired independently of one another, even though their operation is coordinated through a common control system, in the event that one or the other should become jammed or become inoperative.

The synchronizing equipment disclosed in the aforesaid patent application comprises a primary controller for each gun, which is responsive to its operation; each gun also has a firing controller, which, when actuated, causes discharge of the gun associated with it, and each gun has a linkage interconnecting the primary controller thereof with the firing controller thereof. These linkages are cross-connected or associated with one another through a intercontroller device which provides lost motion of such nature as to prevent transmission of movement from the primary controller to the firing controll r of one gun but not both. The gun first ready to be fired utilizes, or takes up, this available lost motion, and, in utilizing it renders the linkages of all guns effective for transmitting motion. Therefore, the primary controller of the gun which is last ready to be fired actuates the linkages to the firing controllers of both guns and sets off both in unison.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention for convenience in mounting and simplicity in structure, the linkage mechanism includes flexible cables interconnecting the primary controllers respectively with the intercontrol device, and interconnecting the intercontrol device with the respective firing controllers. While each gun is being loaded, that is, while a cartridge automatically is being inserted into its chamber, the cable system of that gun, or at least a part thereof, is

Next, when that gun is ready to be fired, the slack is taken up by the primary controller of that gun and the cable system for the gun is rendered efiective for transmitting motion, but no motion actually is transmitted from the primary controller to the firing controller of that gun, because of the lost motion which is available at the intercontroller. Therefore, the firing or" the gun is delayed until the other gun reaches that stage of its operation where it too is ready to be fired, whereupon the primary control of the latter gun in taking up the slack of its cable system tugs upon the entire system and actuates the firing controllers of both guns to discharge them simultaneously.

As an emergency device, the intercontroller is provided with means for rendering its lost motion apparatus ineffective, and in this manner the cross-control between the guns is neutralized and each primary controller is capable of actuating its own firing control regardless of the status or condition of the other gun.

The present invention provides an electrical system operative in conjunction with this synchronizing apparatus for enabling the guns to be loaded safely and conveniently, to be tested for firing and to be selectively controlled. The latter feature is of considerable importance since the operation of the guns in the synchronizing system is so integrated that if one gun otherwise would fail then both would be inoperative.

Briefly, in accordance with this invention, an electrical control system is provided including solenoids for governing the operability of the primary controllers, solenoids for governing the firing of the guns independently of the primary controliers, and electrically controlled means capable of isolating the intercontrol unit of the synchronizing system or rendering it ineffective for coordinating the fire of the guns. The term solenoid as used herein is intended to include magnetic motors, electric thrusters, relays, or other electrical actuating devices for exerting a mechanical movement in response to an electric impulse or electric current.

lhe drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the improvement in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the synchronizing systerm for the guns, as disclosed in the aforesaid copending application.

Figure 2 is an electrical diagram showing the interconnection of the various parts and their association with the synchronizing system.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the relative positions of the parts of the mechanism just after the guns have been fired.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the relative positions of the parts when one gun is ready to be fired before the other. In this view it will be noticed that the slack has been taken from the linkage system from the upper or I left hand gun apparatus and is just about to be to only briefiy here. It comprises primary controllers A and B, one for each machine'gun, firing controllers C and D, one for each gun, and the intercontrol unit E. The primary controllers are governed by the gun bolts ill which move backwardly in recoil in the direction of the dotted arrows when the guns are fired. At the forward ends of their strokes these bolt elements engage, and tip bell cranks H, swinging the bell cranks and thereby causing their arms l2 to move the rocker arms I3. The rocker arms have their far ends bearing upon arms It with which are associated latch arms E5. The latches l5 hold plungers it in a forward position against the bias of springs ll and, when the latches are swung out of the way of the plungers, the plungers move rearwardly, in the direction of the arrow. These plungers have transmission cables W at their forward ends which extend to the intercontrol unit E; therefore, when the plungers iii are released, they tug upon the respective transmission cables associated with them' The latches l5 and the plungers I6 are reset by rearward movement of the bolts l0, that is, movement in the direction shown by the adjacent dotted arrows. In their rearward movement the bolt elements lil engage cam surfaces is provided on arms 253 whereby the bolt elements are effective for swinging the levers. Arms 29 actuate arms 2i and the arms 2!, in turn, thrust resetting links 22 forwardly thereby moving the plungers IQ forwardly through levers 23 which interconnect the resetting links 22 with the plungers. The latches i5 are biased to a latching position and, as the plungers are moved forwardly, the latches dispose themselves behind the plungers. Forward movement of the plungers slackens cables f8; rearward movement tugs upon the cables.

The firing controllers C and D have members 2 3 movable laterally thereof to press inwardly upon gun sears 25 and thereby fire the guns. The members 25 are moved laterally through the cam configurated faces 26 thereof which engage similarly configurated surfaces 21 of plungers 28 which, by means of springs 29, are biased to a relieved position. The plungers 29 are pulled forwardly, to fire the guns, through pulling movement of cables 30.

Cables l 8 and 30 of the primary and firing controllers extend respectively into connection with bell cranks 3| and 32, which are arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the intercontrol unit E. Bell cranks 32-32 are pivotally connected to upper and lower links 33 having common connection with a cross bar 34 which, in turn, is connected with corresponding arms of the bell cranks 3!. The other arms of the bell cranks 3| have links 35 extending respectively into connection with the arms 3c of a floatin connection member 31. This latter element is guided in a slot so that it is shiftable from a centralized position. This floating connection member 37 constitutes a lost motion device in that it may shift to either side of its slot, as shown in Figure 4, when the plunger of one primary controller has been released before the other. Thus, the movement of the released plunger is absorbed in the system because of the relative position of the fulcrum point for bar St on lower bell crank 2|. 'Subsequent release of the plunger of the other primary controller, for instance, the lower one shown in Figure 4, will initially cause the fioating'connection 3? to move back to its centralizedposition and then a tugging movement will be exerted upon the cables leading to the firing controllers of both of the guns. As described in a later part of the specification, the present apparatus also includes means for holding the floating connection in its centralized position so that it no longer has the ability to provide lost motion. When it is held in the centralized position, then the primary controller of each gun is capable of actuating only its associated firing controller or, in other words, each gun operates as an independent unit so that the jamming or failure of one gun to operate does not effect the operation of the other.

For purposes of illustrating the operation of the system just described, let it be presumed that both guns are loaded ready for discharge and that both guns simultaneously are discharged. The bolts thereof, under recoil move rearwardly. Now, in the absence of a synchronizing system, each gun will continue to operate and fire automatically regardless of the other so long as the triggers of the guns are held. Inasmuch as it is virtually impossible to build machine guns so nearly identical in operation that they will continue to fire in unison, it will be seen that as the guns operate they will fire at different times, first one then the other. It is this alternate discharging which imposes a vibratory action on the turret upon which both of the guns may be mounted whereby their aim becomes impaired. In the operation of the present system, however, (assuming that the plungers iii are released), the bolts I!) are thrown rearwardly when the guns fire, and the bolts move into engagement with the cam surfaces of arms 26. The movements of these levers cause the arms 22 to be swung forwardly thereby resetting plungers l6. When this occurs, the latches l5 move in behind the rearward portions of the plungers i6 and arrest the return movement thereof. Such movements slacken cables l8, this slack being taken up by the springs 29 of the firing controllers. Now, following the recoil, as the bolts move forwardly, they engage and tip bell cranks ii. The rocker arms l3 are swung to move the latches IE to unlatching position and the plungers l6 thereby become released. If these movements occur simultaneously in both guns, then the floating connection 3'! remains unaltered in its centralized position as shown in Figure 3. However, if the bolt of one gun reaches battery position before the other, then the plunger of its primary controller will be released before the other, as illustrated in the position of the plunger of the upper or left hand primary controller in Figure 4. The releasing of this plunger tugs upon the transmission cable I 3 which is associated with it. The upper bell crank 3| to which this cable is connected is moved, but, since the cables to the firing controllers are under the tension provided by springs 29 of the firing controllers, the swinging of the bell crank merely causes the floating connection 31 to shift from centralized position. Therefore, the motion provided by the release of the one plunger 15 is absorbed by the floating connection and is not imparted to the firing control cables of either of the guns. Thus, neither of the guns fires but one is conditioned to fire.

Meanwhile, a the bolt of the other gun approaches and tips its bell crank 1'! thereby releasing the plunger of the second primary controller. This plunger therefore tugs upon its transmission cable 18 and such motion is imparted to the lower bell crank 31. This causes the associated link 35 to pull upon the arm 36 of the floating connection which is now in offset position as just described. Such a pull first causes the floating connection to be moved to its centralized position denoting complete take up of the slack, and the cable system is tensed, whereupon the remainder of the movement or pull of the plunger l6 causes both of the arms 35 to swing the bell cranks 3| outwardly, consequently the link 3! is pulled to the left as shown in Figure 3 to cause both bell cranks 32 to tug upon both firing control cables 38 in unison and thereby discharge the guns at exactly the same moment.

The firing of the guns actuates the bolts and the same cycle is repeated. From this description it will be seen that each gun is capable of causing the firing of both but neither can be fired until the other is ready to be fired.

In accordance with the present invention the resetting links 22 have L-shaped slots therein which are traversed by connecting pins 39. When the resetting links are in the position shown in Figure 1 the pins 33 are effectively connected therewith. However, in the event that the resetting links are swung into positions in which the pins 39 are aligned with the other (e. g. horizontal) portions of the slots, (Figure 3) these portions of the slots constitute clearance areas within which the pins 39 are movable without causing movement of the resetting links.

For the purpose of controlling the positions of the resetting links in effective and ineffective positions solenoids 43 are employed. These are mounted directly upon the firing controllers and comprise plungers 4! which are associated with the resetting links through link members 42.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the guns are provided with respective trigger levers which are pivotally mounted thereon as at 4. One end of each of these trigger levers is connected with a plunger 45 of a solenoid 45, there being one solenoid 6 for each gun. The trigger levers are associated in suitable manner with the guns such that when they are operated the guns are fired, for instance, through pressure of the ends thereof opposite solenoids 46 upon gun sear or trigger elements.

Each of the solenoids as has one terminal thereof grounded as at il, while the opposite terminal is connected through lead 48 to one terminal of a switch 49. The opposite terminal of this switch is connected to a post 53 on a battery 5|, having its other grounded, at 52.

For energizing primary controller solenoids 48 they each have one terminal grounded as at 53 while the opposite terminals thereof are connected through leads 54 to a switch 55. This switch, in turn, is connected to post 55! of the battery.

In the event that one of the guns becomes jammed, the bolt of that gun will not be operated. Such a condition may occur when the plunger of that gun is in the resetting or latched position. In such an event, the bolt of the other gun may trip its bell crank I l to release its plunger it but the accompanying movement of associated transmission cable will be manifest only as a lost motion movement of the floating connection 3?, that is, the floating connection will be merely moved from centralized position and, since the other gun is unable to operate to restore the Intercontrol unit E has its floating connection 31 bored as at 5B and a solenoid 51 has a plunger 58 which is positioned .on the intercontrol unit for insertion into the bore 56 of the floating connection. Thus, upon energization of the solenoid the plunger 58, having a suitable lead point thereon, is thrust into the bore and holds the floating connection 31 in its centralized position. This restraint of the floating connection enables the primary controller of the gun which is still capable of operating to actuate its own firing controller by transmission of the movement of its cable I8 through the now restrained connection 31 which acts merely as a fixed pivot point in the system. For instance, referring to Figure 1, assume that the plunger of the lower primary controller is released. Cable [8 will pull lower bell crank 3| shifting arm 35 thereby swinging arms 36 of the floating connection 31. This movement will swing the upper arm 35 and provide corresponding swinging movement of the upper bell crank 3| whereby the bar 34 is pulled to swing both bell cranks 32 and pull the cables 30 leading to both firing controllers. Since the upper gun is assumed to be out of operation, it will not fire but the pull upon the cable leading to the lower firing controller will cause the lower gun to discharge.

One terminal of ,the solenoid 51 is grounded as at 59; the other is taken to a switch 60 which is in connection with the battery post 50, through a lead 6|.

Preparatory to the loading of the guns the pins 39 are aligned with the horizontal or clearance portions of the slots in levers 22; the latches l5 are in open position, the plungers l6 are in uncocked positions and the sear actuators 24 are in a somewhat canted position, the cam surfaces thereof being thrown toward the outermost points of the cam surfaces 21.

To load the guns all of the switches are left open. The bolts Ii! are moved rearwardly, then forwardly, to insert cartridges into the gun chambers. This movement does not affect the positions of the plungers [6 because of alignment of pins 39 with the clearance portions of the slots in the links 22.

To fire the guns solenoids 4B are energized by closing switch 55. Solenoid so is of the pull type, and when energized (as is shown in Figure 1) it eifectively connects pins 39 with their links 22. This operation conditions both guns for firing.

The initial shots from the guns are provided through momentary closure of switch 49 which actuates solenoids 46 thereby moving bar triggers 43 to fire the guns. After the first shots the guns are operated automatically.

To discontinue firing switch 55 is opened and solenoids ii), becoming deenergized, allow the resetting levers to move into positions in which pins 39 ride in the clearance portions of the shaped slots therein, thereby rendering the levers l9 ineffective for resetting plungers I6.

As previously described, should one of the guns fail to operate through insertion of an imperfect cartridge, through jamming or through damage to the gun, then its cable system is incapable of providing the necessary tension of the mechanical linkages in the intercontrol for operation of the other gun, that is, the live gun moves the floating connection 3'! from its centralized position and the dead gun is not capable of restoring it. However, in accordance with the present improvement, should such a condition occur, the

translating member to move uni 7 operator closes switch thereby causing the plunger 53 to be thrust into the bore of the floating connection 32. The bore, though'disaligned, is accessible to the plunger by virtue of its pointed end and the thrusting movement thereiore shifts the floating connection back to its centralized position. of the dead gun is isolated from the linkage system of the gun still able to operate and 'movement of ca lc i3 is transferred to cable dependently of the bell cranks 3i and of the dee gun system.

l. 'iving dercribed my invention, In

l. Mechanism for synchronizing the discharge of a pair of machine guns having gun bolts and sears comprising; cables for actuating the respective gun sears, means controlled. by the bolts of the guns for tugging on the cables to actuate the scars, a floating connection between the cables for absorbing the tug exerted upon the cable of one gun when it is conditioned to fire, but not both, whereby the tug exerted upon the other cable by the other gun causes both cables to be tugged simultaneously through the floating connection to fire the guns simultaneously, means for restraining the said floating connection from floating movement, a source of current, and electro responsive means in connection with said source of current for'selectively actuating said means for restraining said floatingconnection.

, 2. Means for synchronizing 1. multiple machine guns having so each gucal hector exten ing trolier comp ing means for or in one directio said connector firing controllers, one for each actu ting the sears thereof, a linkage system includ a floating member which is common to the connectors from the p iary controllers and which is also in connection with the firing controllers, the said floating member being subject to limited lost motion movement responsive to the firing of one gun before another, thereby rendering the linkage system ineffective for transmitting control movements frcrn that primary controller to its firing controller 11' til the other gun is ready to be fired, the amount of said lost motion movement being so limited so that the linkage system is thereafter r ndered eiiective for transmitting control movements from the primary controller of the gun last to be fired, and electrically controlled means for restraining said floating connection from floating movement.

3. A synchronizing system for machine guns, each haviru a bolt and a sear, system including a primary controller having a translating member biased in one direction, a latch for normally holding the translating member in its biased position, means responsive to the bolt of the gun for tripping said latch and permitting e 111-- of said biasing means, a member responsive to the movement of the gun bolt at anot. or position thereof for relatching said tra s latin member, electro responsive means for r dering said latch incapable of 1101 the translating member in its biased po i/i011, a mechani cal linkage actuated by said translating member, a controller including a member positioned for engagement with the gun sear and actuated When this is done the linkage system to'fire the gun in response to movement of said mechanical linkage and an intercontrol device in connection with said mechanical linkage including a floating connection for limiting the 5 amount of motion capable of being transmitted through said mechanical linkage in response to coordinate control of another primary controller of another machine gun.

l. An armament system comprising; a pair of machine guns each having a primary controller thereon, an intercontrol unit, and firing controllers, one for each gun, mechanical linkages extending from the respective primary controllers to the intercontrol unit and from the intercontrol. unit to the respective firing controllers, the 'mary controllers being eifective for actuating the intercontrol unit through the mechanical linkages in response to gun operation, and the intercontroller being efiective to actuate the firing controllers through the mechanical linkages and thereby discharge the guns in response to actuation of the intercontroller, said intercom oller having a lost motion device therein which common to the mechanical linkages for limit- 5 log the transmission of motion from one primary controller to the ring controller of the gun the primary controller of the other gun is actuated, said intercontroller having electrc res n ve means associated therewith for restraing the :l 0st motion device against lost motion movement and a circuit including a manually operable switch for controlling said electro responsive means. I

5. An armament system comprising; a pair of machine guns each having a primary controller thereon, an intercontrol unit, and firing controllers, one for each gun, motion transmitting linkages extending from the respective primary controllers to the intercontrol unit and from the intercontrol unit to the respective firing controllers, the primary controllers being effective for metivating the intercontrol unit through said linkages in response to gun operation, and the intercontrol unit being effective to actuate the firing controllers through said linkages and thereby discharge the guns in response to motivation of the intercontrol unit, the said intercontrol unit having a lost motion device therein which is common to the linkages for limiting the transmission of motion from one primary controller to the firing controller of the same gun through said linkages until the primary controller of the other gun is actuated, said intercontroller having a solenoid, means operated by said solenoid for restraining the lost motion device of the intercontrol unit against lost motion movement, whereby the primary controller of either gun is effective for actuating the firing controller thereof, and an electric circuit including a switch for energizing the said solenoid.

6. Mechanism for effecting the firing of two guns simultaneously, comprising; a primary controller for each gun which is responsive to the operation of that gun, a firing controller for each gun adapted to be actuated to cause the firing of that gun, a linkage interconnecting the primary controller of each gun with the fire controlling thereof, an intercontrol device connected in common to said linkages whereby movement of one linkage may be transmitted to the other, the said intercontrol device having a lost motion element which is efiective for limiting the amount of movement capable of being transmitted through said linkages from the primary controllers to the 75 firing'controllers, the amount of lost motion being 10 such that it is taken up in response to the actua- REFERENCES CITED tion of a primary controller of one gun and the linkages are thereby rendered efiective for trans- The following references are of record m the mitting motion from the primary controller of the file of this patent: other gun to the firing controllers of both guns; 5

UNITED STATES PATENTS and electro responsive means for restraining the lost motion element against lost motion move- Number Name Date ment whereby the primary controller of each gun 2,329,668 ac Sep 1943 is capable of actuating the firing controller of that 72,327 Joyce Mar. 27, 1945 gun through the intercontroller device regardless 10 2,403,641 Den Duden y 1946 of the operation of the other gun.

VICTOR F. ZAHODIAKEN. 

